Page 23 of Twisted Deceit
“Thanks, Rajji,” she could only mumble as she processed the new detail about him. How long have the Thakvars been planning to take over the land? The way Nakul fought, he had to be learning the skill since he was a child. She made a mental note to ask him while also realizing she needed to move on to another plan to drive him away. She had none; her mind was blank.
Maybe he is so pissed that she set him up that he would want to leave the Kanwar mansion. She could not let that happen. She wanted to kick herself for not telling him before the carnival that she did not intend to go to the Thakvar mansion no matter what the culture or customs said.
She caught him glaring at her through her veil when she handed him his turban, knowing she had to have a good reason for setting him up to fight. It would not be for at least another couple of hours before she would get an opportunity to talk to him.
Aadhya yet again sat in the middle of one of the bedrooms of the large suite, now her wing to share with her husband, as a handful of women prepped her for her wedding night. She didn’t get to go back to her room after the wedding, not even to pick up clothes. The staff did everything.
That evening she was getting impatient as the women massaged the fragrant oils and drew designs on her chest and back. She knew it was a waste because she would change into a long night shirt like she had the previous night. She made a mental note to change back into whatever she wore so Meenabai wouldn’t get upset with her. After that night, she would fake the aches and pains to convince Meenabai that her marriage was consummated.
“I think that’s enough, and we should go.” Her words made the women around her giggle.
“Now you are in a hurry to see your husband. Did you see what a great warrior your husband is? You need to give this region an heir like him.” Meenabai was quick to jump in.
“Nani, you have to let me go to even attempt to make an heir tonight.” Aadhya needed to match up the older woman’s words to escape the long getting-ready task every night. The room broke into a clamor, and soon, she was led back to the entrance of the master suite.
That night, she was in a loose robe tied at the waist for a change. But her jewelry was heavy. Her hair was partially braided as if to keep the jewelry in place and the loose hair fell to her hip. Meenabai gave her the exact instructions about food and drinks as the night before, and even as the women who accompanied her stopped at the double doors, Meenabai stepped into the room with her.
Aadhya stood still as Meenabai adjusted her jewelry and her robe. “You need to please your husband tonight. Do not let him leave your side in the morning.”
“Okay, Nani.”
The older woman stepped back just a little. “God bless you, Aadi.”
Aadhya felt emotional about fooling everyone she cared about with her fake marriage. As she swallowed and was about to say something, she felt the robe on her body be yanked off, and she shrieked, reaching for the flying silk.
She stood in shock, butt naked, staring after the older woman who raced out with her robe and shut the double doors behind her. She heard them being bolted from the outside, and a cry escaped her. “Nani, what the heck was that?” She never expected the older woman to push her idea of sleeping naked to consummate her marriage to this level.
She heard laughter and muffled voices on the other side of the door as she huffed in anger. She held her arms over her chest, went to the closet, and stopped short when she heard movement in the bathroom.
Oh shit!
“Nakul?” she called out, hoping it was just a random noise. There was no response, and just as she took two steps, she heard him groan, and she froze for a moment. She walked into her closet, and to her horror, no clothes were in sight. Not even the night clothes or the stack of towels she had seen earlier that day.
No piece of fabric around.
“Nani, No!!!!” The angry cry escaped her.
A moment later, she heard footsteps. “You, okay?” It was Nakul and she had nothing but her panties on.
Horrified she stood behind the door, her head sticking out. “Stop, don’t come in. I need clothes.” He stood before her, his hair damp, bare-chested, and a white towel wrapped around his waist. “Give me your towel.” It was a plea but came out as a demand.
His brow raised up slightly. “I’m not giving you my towel.” He let out a chuckle. “Where are your clothes?”
“Nakul, please.” She just had no patience to explain what happened. Her body reacted very differently to the sight of him and the fact that the only piece of clothing was a flimsy lace panty.
He took a few steps to the door behind which she stood, close enough for her to smell his fresh, clean scent. “Why should I? After the way you set me up for the spear fight.”
How did she forget about that?
“No, No. I did not.” It was good that she had thought about a cover story for her actions. “That was not my intention at all. When I saw the man collecting items on a tray, I thought he was collecting donations for the fighter, and that’s why I put my bangle. Why would I want to set you up.” She hoped he would buy her story. “Please give me something to wear.”
“And why do you not have any clothes in there?” He peeked inside as if not believing her, and she clung to the door further to be out of his sight. “Is this another stunt? What are you trying to do?”
“Nakul, please.” At that moment, she felt so awkward about her bodily response to his proximity, even in such a dire situation. “Just give me your towel.”
He looked at her for a moment and smirked. “Why do you need my wet towel when I can give you dry clothes?”
Heat crept up her cheeks with how he looked at her and what his question might imply. Desperate, she assumed his clothes would have been taken away too. “Okay, I’m not after your towel. I need clothes. Anything will work.” She should have taken a moment to steal the sheets off the bed before entering the closet.
